HEALTH PROTOCOLS. Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) placed an assistance desk in front of the Aglipayan church in Sibalom, Antique, on Thursday (March 28, 2024). Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Broderick Train said in an interview that assistance desks in churches, terminals, and other convergence areas are available until March 31 to ensure public safety. (PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has urged the public to hydrate and observe other health protocols during Holy Week.
PDRRMO chief Broderick Train said in an interview that effective Thursday, they are on red alert level, including their municipal counterparts, personnel are deployed on the field so they can immediately respond to emergency cases.
“Although there was light rain in some parts of the province yesterday, today we are experiencing extreme heat,” Train said.
Train said the heat index in Antique is now at 44 degrees Celsius.
Pilgrims joining the procession Thursday afternoon are advised to hydrate and avoid overexposure to the sun.
Train also said the inter-agency committee has assistance desks in churches, terminals, and other convergence areas until Easter Sunday.
Integrated Provincial Health Office Information Officer Irene Dulduco said that the public is advised to wear face masks and do frequent hand washing as a preventive measure, considering that they have already monitored three cases of pertussis in Antique.
“The three are considered probable cases as we wait for their laboratory results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine,” she said.
They sought consultation in hospitals in Antique after manifesting signs and symptoms of pertussis such as runny or stuffed-up nose, low-grade fever, mild or occasional cough, and apnea.
“If you have a low immune system and suspect of having signs and symptoms of pertussis, you better stay at home or isolate yourself,” she said. (PNA)
